One of the biggest fears that any medical professional may have, including Perth dentists, is that a patient decides that they wish to sue them for medical malpractice. Apart from the massive financial implications should they lose, the subsequent damage to their professional reputation can often be irreparable.
Sadly, many of the medical malpractice lawsuits are justified, and the patient is rightly entitled to any damages which are rewarded due to the nature of the harm resulting from what the medical professional did. Many others are not justified and are soon dismissed, however, that will not erase the stress and worry they will have created for the medical professional in question.
Thankfully, there are tried and trusted steps you can take as a dentist that will dramatically reduce the chances of a patient suing you for medical malpractice, which, if followed, should mean you need not have to go through that same stressful process.
Communication Is Key
Whilst you might think that how you perform as a dentist is a large factor in avoiding medical malpractice suits, and it obviously is, an even greater one is how well you communicate with your patients. The simple fact is that good communication has prevented more medical malpractice suits, than good medical skills.
By communication we mean every interaction you have with patients and that includes before, during, and after their treatment. Ask them questions, answer them courteously, and even with those ‘difficult’ patients, always do your best to remain calm and friendly whilst speaking with them.